Gilles Marini may have fallen short of the grand prize last season on Dancing With The Stars, but he still knows how to pick a winner. Though former pop stars Aaron Carter and Donny Osmond emerged as clear frontrunners with their considerable dance experience, Marini told RadarOnline.com that the one to watch is “Iron Chef America” chairman Mark Dacascos.

“I like to see the underdog make a statement. You don’t have to be like Aaron Carter. he’s danced all his life,” Marini alum told RadarOnline.com during the Macy and American Express Passport AIDS fundraiser in Los Angeles. “The purpose of the show is that someone can teach someone something. And Mark Dacasos is really that person.”

Marini isn’t the only one who thinks Dacascos is a serious contender. Following his martial arts-inspired cha-cha-cha, Dacascos scored a 21 from the judges, with judge Bruno Tonioli stating, “the talent is there, so, you know, keep it tight.”